what to do on a winter weekend? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: rent, house)

[cu79]

So I'm relatively new to the TC area - this will be my first winter here. I've got some friends from out of town coming to visit. I live in the SW burbs, but was thinking of doing something in downtown Mpls. Any suggestions on unique places to hang out or things to do? (Certainly doesn't have to be, but bars are good ... ) I developed a pretty good grasp of what to do around here when the weather is a little nicer, but not sure now that winter is knocking on the door. If it helps, I'm 28 yrs old.

Thanks!

[knke0402]

Hollidazzle!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[TheNip73]

I second the Hollidazzle! Perfect for a date if you catch some dinner/drinks before or after. Might not be so great for friends who are visiting.

For your friends coming to visit, I'm not sure if you are a male or female, which makes it a bit tought to tailor a suggestion. I'll just throw a few things out there and maybe one will sound good - Bryant Lake Bowl (bowling), Timberwolves game, NE Minneapolis bars, Show at the Guthrie Theater.

Good Luck!

Josh

[Vinegaroon]

If you really want to give them a Minnesota experience, go north, rent a cabin and go ice fishing. Bring plenty of Schnapps.

[pirate_lafitte]

If it is snowing and you have a few friends who wouldn't mind,a snowball fight could be fun. You could try cross-country skiing.

[Slig]

Minnesota is cold and miserable in winter so I try to find indoor activities. However, besides Mall of America and the Nicollet Mall area there isn't a whole lot to do unfortunately. You could check out a museum such as the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul, Weisman and Walker Art museums in Minneapolis. For sports there is the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Of course there are bars but going out is never as fun in the winter....way too cold.

[bloomingtonsteve]

You're only 1/2 correct. Minnesota (along with most of thses northern tier states) CAN be cold during the winter. It certainly is not miserable though. It is what you make it. If you say it's "going to suck all winter and I'm going to be miserable", well then by god...you am what you am.

You might suffer from SAD, which is Seasonal Affective Disorder. It comes from the decrease of daylight during these months.

So...just rent a crap-load of movies and we'll see ya in the spring.

[knke0402]

Well. Here is what I did last winter.

- Six pack and some pals, air tubes $10, Wal Mart, Snow Hill. I had so much fun. The cold isn't bad when you have a couple layers on and you're running around and being active.

- Ice fishing. If you have a permanent fish house or know someone who does, then its the cat's meow. It's like a small house on the lake, where little fishing actually occurs. It is a great time even without the permanent, although a totally different experience.

- Snowmobiling. Not much to explain but when we actually get snow its a blast.

- Hockey. There are rinks everywhere and most have heating rooms. Grab a coffee and lace up the skates and stick. If you dont know how to skate its not hard to learn and most rinks are empty during the day. At night I usually jump into pick up games for an hour or so.

- Snowboarding - Or skiing, ski hills are pretty accessible in the TC metro. Its pretty affordable if you find the right times to go too.

Other than that, its a lot of movie renting, movie going, reading, working, and working out.

[kuan]

Originally Posted by knke0402

It's like a small house on the lake, where little fishing actually occurs.

Shhh...

[pirate_lafitte]

Ice fishing could be fun.